Seed CollectionThis page provides a more in depth illustration of the seed collection
process used by the MD-DNR as part of the large scale restoration process in the
Patuxent River.

Seeds harvested from healthy donor beds supply our restoration
efforts. Successful collection and transportation of millions of seeds in 2003
through 2006 demonstrated that this scale of seed collection is practical for
use in the Chesapeake Bay.

Eelgrass Seed Harvest and Collection2003: Reproductive shoots from healthy eelgrass beds containing mature
seeds were collected manually from Tangier Sound. Harvesting took place on
May 20, 23, and 27-30 and yielded 2.3 million seeds, 250,000 of which were
viable for broadcast.

2004: A mechanical harvest boat was utilized to increase the efficiency
and amount of reproductive material collected. From May 24 to June 4,
2004, seeds were collected from donor beds in the Little Annemessex River.
In nine cutting days the mechanical harvester collected approximately
71.92 L of eelgrass reproductive material. In 2004, the portion of
reproductive material transported to Piney Point for seed extraction
yielded 15.12 million seeds. After the seed processing and storage process
was complete, 7% of the collected seeds (or 1,058,400 seeds) were viable
for broadcast.

2005: Reproductive material was harvested from the Little Annemessex River
and the mouth of Acre Creek (Big Annemessex River) from May 23 to June 8,
2005. The harvest machine collected approximately 109.5 L of eelgrass
seeds from 21.6 acres of eelgrass beds yielding 12 million seeds. After
the seed processing and storage process was complete, 20% of the collected
seeds (or 2,527,000 seeds) were viable for broadcast.

2006: Initial surveys of potential eelgrass donor beds indicated that eelgrass
had suffered as the result of a defoliation event between the summer of 2005 and
the spring of 2006. Mechanical harvesting was not possible and so reproductive
shoots containing mature seeds were collected manually while snorkeling or using
SCUBA. Collections took place in the Big Annemessex River, Shirtpond Cove and
Flatland Cove. A portion of the seeds were distributed using spring seed bags.
After the seed processing and storage was complete, 87% of the collected seeds
(or 349,888 seeds) were viable for broadcast.

Eelgrass reproductive shoots harvested mechanically by specially designed
boat between mid-May to mid-June.

Harvested material is transferred to DNR collection boat

Eelgrass being brought aboard DNR boat where it is collected in a
holding tub

Blue crab in harvested eelgrass material.
Bay grasses are an important habitat!

Eelgrass Seed Processing at Piney Point Aquaculture Facility
Maryland DNR has established equipment at its Piney Point Aquaculture Facility
to process collected eelgrass seeds. (Learn More about the
Piney Point Aquaculture Facility).
Reproductive shoots are processed and held in large tanks at the Piney Point
facility until the seeds drop from the reproductive shoots (July to early
August). Seeds are separated from shoot material and stored in large tubs until
they are broadcast into the field in October.

Large holding tanks

Seeds being separated from reproductive material

Eelgrass seeds that have been separated from reproductive shoot material

Seeds being collected from final holding
tank for broadcast in the field